<div dir="ltr"><div>I would welcome suggestions as I like a collaborative working relationship with my clients. In fact heavy situations, that can be very helpful as they know the facts best. They can either mark up a copy I send to them for review (mailed or PDF) and/or type their suggestions in an email. But I make it very clear that they are suggestions and subject to my approval. I would say usually they don't have anything to add and in the off cases that they do have markups, in 99% of those cases I can explain why their suggestion is not valid and/or should not be incorporated and they agree after I explain it to them. I don't share EP documents in word. </div><div><br></div><div>I would not allow them to alter the word document or a letter that's to be mailed on my letterhead and signed by me, thankfully I have not had a client request this before. The only word documents I do share frequently with clients are contracts I draft for my business clients. They often need to edit the exhibits/work orders/rates etc and it makes their life easier. However, I do make it very clear that they should not make any changes to the actual contract and its content without discussing it with me first. </div><div><br></div><div>If your client is insisting on having the word document and wanting to make changes without your approval, it may be best to just provide the content in a word document (without your letterhead/signature) with a CYA letter as suggested here detailing the issues and withdraw. </div><div><br></div><div>Good luck, </div><div><br></div><div>Setareh </div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div class="gmail_attr" dir="ltr">On Tue, Sep 17, 2019 at 2:17 PM Stephen A. Brandli <<a href="mailto:steve@brandlilaw.com" target="_blank">steve@brandlilaw.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;padding-left:1ex;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204);border-left-width:1px;border-left-style:solid"><div lang="EN-US"><div class="m_2989319110281069293m_8299624221197177621gmail-m_-76020831102053700WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal">Under RPC 1.2(a), I believe that the wording of a letter falls under the “means by which [the objectives of the representation] are to be pursued,” on which the attorney “shall consult with the client.” <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">I have occasionally had a client who cares about the wording of the letter. I have had to swallow my pride and consider whether the wording my client insisted on diminished the purpose of the letter in some way. I consider myself a good letter-writer (perhaps without good cause?), and having a client work on my wording is a bit degrading.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">But I have never given up the word version. I was asked once, and I simply told the client that I do not work that way. If a client insisted, I would withdraw. That’s my personal line, not one that is based on anything more than my own sense of self-worth.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Someone who is more “adult” than I am may give the client the word version. But I would suggest that the attorney scrutinize every change as the attorney would if the client made the suggestions for changes to the letter in an email or something.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Steve<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><div><div style="border-width:1pt medium medium;border-style:solid none none;border-color:rgb(225,225,225) currentColor currentColor;padding:3pt 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Diane J. Kiepe<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, September 17, 2019 1:59 PM<br><b>To:</b> '<a href="mailto:jeff@bellanddavispllc.com" target="_blank">jeff@bellanddavispllc.com</a>' <<a href="mailto:jeff@bellanddavispllc.com" target="_blank">jeff@bellanddavispllc.com</a>>; 'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv' <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Providing Client with word version of draft demand letters/estate planning documents<u></u><u></u></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">I would argue this is not covered by 1.4 at all. It is not at all reasonable to allow a client to demand you present a word document in my opinion. I would be concerned about liability for doing so, if they revised it and used it and later had a problem. I would be curious what the bar hotline would say.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Maybe something to add to the ever-ending disclosures in the engagement?<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Best to you – <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Diane J. Kiepe<u></u><u></u></p><div><div style="border-width:1pt medium medium;border-style:solid none none;border-color:rgb(225,225,225) currentColor currentColor;padding:3pt 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Jeff Davis<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, September 17, 2019 1:49 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv' <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Providing Client with word version of draft demand letters/estate planning documents<u></u><u></u></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Listmates:<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Recently I have had different clients request I provide them with a word version of my proposed demand letter, involving an easement issue, and trust agreement, respectively. They wanted to redraft the letter and the other wanted to add things to the trust. I declined to provide the word version. One person got really nasty saying by not doing so violated RPC 1.4. In all my years I have never allowed a client to draft letters or pleadings that I sign. Have any of you faced this issue and how have you dealt with it?<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Jeff Davis<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;font-size:10pt">W. Jeff Davis, Esq.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;font-size:10pt">BELL & DAVIS PLLC<br>P.O. Box 510<br>Sequim WA 98382<br>Phone No.:(360) 683.1129 <br>Fax No.: (360) 683.1258 <br>email: <a href="mailto:info@bellanddavispllc.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">info@bellanddavispllc.com</span></a><br><a href="http://www.bellanddavispllc.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">www.bellanddavispllc.com</span></a><br> <br>The information contained in this e-mail message may be privileged, confidential, and protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution, or copying is strictly prohibited. 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<a href="http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt</a></blockquote></div><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><div class="m_2989319110281069293m_8299624221197177621gmail_signature" dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Best regards, </span></b></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Setareh Mahmoodi </span></b></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Attorney at Law </span></b></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">18222 104th Ave NE, Suite 103</span></b></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Bothell, WA 98011</span></b></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Phone: 425-806-1500</span></b><b><span style="font-size:10pt"><br></span></b></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Fax: 425-489-4142 (Please email documents if at all possible)</span></b></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><span style="font-size:10pt"><b>Email: SM@LawOfficesofSM.com</b></span></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><span style="font-size:10pt">Website: </span></b><span style="font-size:13.33px"><b><a href="http://www.lawofficesofsm.com/" target="_blank">http://www.lawofficesofsm.com/</a></b></span></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt"><br></span></b></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><span style="font-size:10pt">CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:</span></b><span style="font-size:10pt"> This email message and any attachments is a transmission from the law firm and is intended for the </span><span style="font-size:13.33px">recipient</span><span style="font-size:10pt"> only. It may contain information that is confidential and legally protected by the attorney-client, work product and/or other privileges. If you are not the designated or intended recipient, please destroy the message without disclosing any of its contents and notify us immediately by reply email or by calling (425) 806-1500.</span></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><span style="font-size:10pt">Pursuant to U.S. Treasury Department Regulations, we are now required to advise you that, unless otherwise expressly indicated, any federal tax advice contained in this communication, including attachments and enclosures, is not intended or written to be used, and may not be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related matters addressed herein.</span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>